Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Simulated
The provider has ordered intramuscular (IM) injections of morphine, a narcotic, every 4 hours as needed for pain in a motor vehicle accident victim. The nurse is aware this drug has a high abuse potential. Under what category would morphine be classified?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Schedule II. Morphine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and risk of dependence. Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, which does not apply to morphine. Schedule III and IV drugs have lower abuse potential compared to Schedule II drugs. Therefore, morphine being a potent narcotic with a high abuse potential places it in Schedule II.